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Top 15 CBRE Competitors and Alternatives

Kevin Johnson
November 21, 2023
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11 min read

CBRE (Coldwell Banker Richard Ellis) is an American commercial real estate services company based in Dallas, Texas. The company was established in 1906 and changed its name in 1918, 1919, 1920, 1940, and 1974 before becoming CB Commercial in 1989. In 1998, CB merged with Richard Ellis International and rebranded to CBRE. CBRE is one of the Big 4 commercial real estate services companies, with Cushman & Wakefield, Colliers, and JLL. As of October 2023, CRBE had around 115,000 employees and operated in over 100 countries. [1]

CBRE is a Fortune 500 and S&P 500 company and the world’s leading commercial real estate services and investment firm. It caters to real estate occupiers and investors. The company expanded its portfolio through strategic acquisitions. CBRE purchased Norland in 2013 to strengthen its Europe, Middle East, and Africa business segments. However, the brand expanded to serve the US market and drove CBRE’s technical engineering and outsourcing services. In 2021, CBRE acquired Altus Power and a 60% stake in Turner & Townsend for $960 million.

CBRE offers an integrated portfolio, including transaction, property and investment management, facilities, appraisal and valuation, leasing, sales, consulting, mortgage, and real estate development. However, the company faces stiff competition from Cushman & Wakefield, Colliers, JLL, FirstService, Anywhere, Knight Frank, Newmark, and Savills. [2]

Here is an in-depth analysis of CBRE’s top competitors and alternatives:

1. Cushman & Wakefield

Year founded: 1917
Headquarter: Chicago, Illinois

2. Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL)

Year founded: 1783
Headquarter: Chicago, Illinois

JLL is a Fortune 500 global commercial real estate and investment management company. The firm helps clients buy, build, occupy, manage, and invest in commercial, industrial, hotel, residential and retail properties. As of August 2023, JLL had over 103,000 employees and operated in over 80 countries. [4]

JLL operates in the real estate development and finance sectors. In October 2023, Raymond James’ analysts revised JLL’s price target downwards from $222 to $173. This adjustment reflects industry-wide challenges and declining consumer demand. However, JLL’s positive revenue growth and projected earnings indicate potential for future success. JLL is one of the top competitors for CBRE. [5]

3. Colliers International

Year founded: 1976
Headquarter: Toronto, Canada

Colliers is a leading diversified professional services and investment management firm. The company offers expert real estate and investment advice to clients. In May 2023, Colliers acquired HILGARTWILSON to expand its engineering and design division. Colliers has around 18,000 employees and operates in 66 countries. [6]

Colliers manages $98 billion in assets for clients to help them maximize their properties’ potential. In September 2023, the Euromoney Global Real Estate Awards named Colliers the Best Global Agency. The company secured ten awards across Asia-Pacific, EMEA, and the Americas, outperforming all its competitors globally. Colliers is one of the best alternatives to CBRE. [7]

4. FirstService Corporation

Year founded: 1988
Headquarter: Toronto, Canada

FirstService is a North American real estate essential and outsourced property services company. The firm serves customers through two industry-leading platforms: FirstService Residential and FirstService Brands. As of July 2023, FirstService had about 27,000 employees across North America.

FirstService Brands is one of North America’s largest essential property services providers. In October 2023, FirstService Residential won the Post and Courier Charleston’s Choice award for Best Property Management Company. This platform offers tailored lifestyle programming, amenity activation, and technology to help customers manage their residential properties. FirstService is one of the top competitors for CBRE. [8]

5. Anywhere Real Estate Inc.

Year founded: 2006
Headquarter: Madison, New Jersey

Formerly known as Realogy, Anywhere is a leader in integrated residential property services in the US. The firm offers brokerage, relocation, title settlement, and lead generation programs through franchises and company-owned brands. In 2022, its mortgage and title insurance underwriter venture supported around 1.2 million home transactions.

Anywhere has an impressive brand portfolio, including Better Homes, ERA, Century 21, Corcoran, and Sotheby’s International Realty.  The firm serves 191,600 independent US sales agents and 146,600 sales reps in 118 countries. In Q1 2023, Anywhere was named one of America’s Most Innovative Companies by Fortune, making it a worthy alternative to CBRE. [9]

6. Knight Frank LLP

Year founded: 1896
Headquarter: London, United Kingdom

Knight Frank is a well-known real estate consultancy and agency. The company operates in over 57 countries. As of August 2023, Knight Frank had over 480 offices worldwide.

Knight Frank offers investment advisory, property management, transactions, and real estate broking across the commercial and residential segments. In August 2023, the firm expanded into the Egyptian market. The company opened a new office in Cairo to harness Egypt’s booming real estate sector and connect property owners with investors from the US, UK, Germany, and France. Knight Frank is a fast-growing competitor for CBRE. [10]

7. Newmark Group Inc.

Year founded: 1929
Headquarter: New York City, New York

Newmark is a commercial real estate services and advisory firm. It serves property owners, occupiers, investors, and organizations of all sizes, from startups to blue-chip corporations. As of March 2023, Newmark had around 7,400 employees and over 170 offices. [11]

Newmark operates globally through company-owned offices and its business partners. However, the main competitive advantage of Newmark is its customer-centric approach that provides tailored products and services to each client. Newmark is one of the top competitors for CBRE.

8. Savills PLC

Year founded: 1855
Headquarter: London, United Kingdom

Savills is a LSE-listed British real estate services company. In October 2023, Savills’ investment management division acquired three UK student housing properties for £300 million from Vita Group. This acquisition underscores Savills’ conviction for long-term resilience in the UK PBSA sector. [12]

Savills is the UK’s leading real estate transaction advisory and investment management firm. However, the company is not immune to industry-wide slowdown globally. In H1 2023, Savills’ profits plunged due to decreased property transactions in the UK, Europe, China, and Asia Pacific. Savills’ strong market presence globally makes it a worthy competitor for CBRE. [13]

9. Greystar Real Estate Partners

Year founded: 1993
Headquarter: Charleston, South Carolina

Greystar is an international real estate development and management firm. The company has offices in North America, Europe, South America, and Asia-Pacific. As of October 2023, Greystar managed over $75 billion in client assets and operated real estate properties worth over $275 billion in 238 markets globally.

Greystar specializes in property and investment management, development, and construction services. The firm is America’s largest apartment operator, managing over 822,100 units globally. In May 2023, the company launched Ltd. by Greystar. This new dedicated brand delivers more attainable housing opportunities to consumers affected by the lack of rental options in the US. Greystar is one of the top competitors for CBRE. [14]

10. Marcus & Millichap, Inc.

Year founded: 1971
Headquarter: Calabasas, California

Marcus & Millichap is a leading US brokerage firm. The company specializes in real estate investment, financing, research, and advisory services. In June 2023, Marcus & Millichap employed 1,865 investment and financing specialists in 80 offices.

Marcus & Millichap popularized the practice of listing properties exclusively with a single brokerage firm. The company serves commercial real estate sellers and buyers. In H1 2023, the firm closed 3,753 transactions. Marcus & Millichap is one of the best alternatives to CBRE. [15]

11. Avison Young

Year founded: 1978
Headquarter: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Avison Young is a world-leading commercial real estate services firm. In August 2023, the LA Business Journal and Workforce Research Group named Avison Young one of the Best Places to Work in Los Angeles. This award recognizes Avison Young’s people-first culture. [16]

Avison Young offers transaction, property management, valuation, leasing, capital markets, and consulting services. In September 2023, the firm expanded into the Vietnamese market by partnering with Hanoi-based D&P Company. The company opened its first office in Southeast Asia and hired 100 industry experts, making Avison Young a fast-growing CBRE competitor. [17]

12. Willow Bridge Property Company

Year founded: 1965
Headquarter: Dallas, Texas

Willow Bridge is a leading full-service residential property company. The firm has 4,500 employees in 75 markets and manages 180,000 units. In February 2023, Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan and Cadillac Fairview acquired Willow’s parent company, Lincoln Property.

Willow Bridge was founded by Mack Pogue under Lincoln Property. In October 2023, Lincoln’s residential division rebranded to Willow Bridge after its acquisition by the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan and Cadillac Fairview. The firm has built over 200,000 apartments across the US. Willow Bridge is one of the best alternatives to CBRE. [18]

13. Cintas

Year founded: 1968
Headquarter: Mason, Ohio

Cintas is an American business supplies and services provider. The company offers products and services to help companies and non-profit organizations keep their facility clean and safe for workers and customers. As of March 2023, Cintas served over one million businesses. [19]

Cintas offers uniform rentals, mats, cleaning products, restroom supplies, safety kits, and facility management services. Organizations can hire Cintas or CBRE to clean and improve their properties’ aesthetic appeal. In May 2023, Cintas was recognized in the USA Today Climate Leader list. Cintas is one of the top competitors for CBRE. [20]

Year founded: 2004
Headquarter: Kwun Tong, Hong Kong

Link REIT is Asia’s largest real estate investment trust. The organization manages properties globally, from China to Singapore, Australia, and the UK. In 2022, Link REIT had over 1,000 employees.

Link REIT manages retail facilities, car parks, offices, and logistics assets. In August 2023, the company held its annual Tour de Link event to encourage healthy living habits in Hong Kong. Link REIT is one of the best alternatives to CBRE in Asia. [21]

15. ABM Industries

Year founded: 1909
Headquarter: New York City, New York

ABM is an integrated facility management provider. The company offers janitorial, HVAC and mechanical, landscape and turf, engineering, electrical and lighting, parking, and energy solutions. In June 2023, ABM had over 100,000 employees and over 350 offices across the US, UK, and other international locations. [22]

ABM provides essential services to schools, commercial office buildings, airports, hospitals, data centers, manufacturing plants, distribution centers, and entertainment venues. In Q2 2023, the firm deployed its cloud-based ERP system. ABM is one of the best alternatives to CBRE for facility services. [23]

 References & more information

  1. CBRE Group, Inc. (2023, Oct 3). CBRE Group, Inc. announces conference call and webcast for Third Quarter 2023 financial results. Business Wire
  2. Burns, J. (2023, Aug 7). CBRE earnings are boosted by facility outsourcing and technical services demand. Facilities Dive
  3. Amarnath, N. (2023, Aug 2). Cushman & Wakefield saw a 20% leasing revenue decline in Q2. Facilities Dive
  4. Jones Lang LaSalle Inc. (2023, Aug 3). JLL Reports Financial Results for Second-Quarter 2023. JLL.com
  5. Mendonça, E. (2023, Oct 4). Analyst Remains Optimistic about Jones Lang LaSalle Despite Lowered Price Target. Best Stocks
  6. Colliers International Group (2023, May 9). Colliers adds a leading Southwest engineering firm. Colliers.com
  7. Colliers International Group Inc. (2023, Sep 28). Colliers named Best Global Agency by Euromoney. Colliers.com
  8. FirstService Corp (2023, Oct 2). FirstService Residential Earns 2023 Charleston Choice Award for Third Consecutive Year. Yahoo Finance
  9. Anywhere Real Estate, Inc. (2023, May 3). Anywhere Real Estate, Inc. Reports First Quarter 2023 Financial Results. PRNewswire
  10. Consultancy Staff (2023, Aug 18). Knight Frank entered the Egyptian real estate consultancy market. Consultancy-me.com
  11. Newmark Group, Inc. (2023, May 5). Newmark Group Reports First Quarter 2023 Financial Results. PRNewswire
  12. IPE Staff (2023, Oct 2). Savills IM invests £300m in UK student housing assets. IPE.com
  13. Slingo, J. (2023, Aug 10). Savills profits plunge as interest rates hit transactions. Investors Chronicle
  14. Greystar (2023, May 24). Greystar Announces Launch of Ltd. Brand to Address Need for Attainable Housing. PRNewswire
  15. Marcus & Millichap, Inc. (2023, Aug 4). Marcus & Millichap Reports Results for Second Quarter 2023. Business Wire
  16. AY Staff (2023, Aug 16). Avison Young was named one of the 2023 Best Places to Work in Los Angeles by the LA Business Journal and Workforce Research Group. AvisonYoung.com
  17. AY Staff (2023, Sep 20). Avison Young enters the fast-paced South-East-Asian real estate market through a new affiliation agreement in Vietnam. AvisonYoung.com
  18. Lincoln Property Company (2023, Oct 3). Lincoln’s Residential Division rebrands to Willow Bridge Property Company. Yahoo Finance
  19. Cintas Corporation (2023, Mar 29). Cintas Corporation Announces Fiscal 2023 Third Quarter Results. Business Wire
  20. Cintas Corporation (2023, May 31). Cintas Named a USA Today Climate Leader 2023. Business Wire
  21. Link REIT Editor (2023, Aug 2). Link’s “Tour de Link 2023” Returns with New Ace Team Category Team Up and Compete for the Community. Link REIT
  22. ABM Industries Inc (2023, Aug 23). ABM Announces Third Quarter 2023 Financial Results. Globe Newswire
  23. ABM Industries Inc. (2023, Jun 6). ABM Reports Second Quarter Fiscal 2023 Results. Globe Newswire
  24. Featured Image by Sean Pollock

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